Who We Are

Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is but one layer in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security. CTPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program which recognizes that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 provided a statutory framework for the CTPAT program and imposed strict program oversight requirements.

CTPAT: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism

Minimum Security Criteria Updates

Read more about the new MSC coming in 2018–2019

CTPAT Portal Login

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Login to Portal

How CTPAT works

When an entity joins CTPAT, an agreement is made to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. Applicants must address a broad range of security topics and present security profiles that list action plans to align security throughout the supply chain.CTPAT members are considered to be of low risk, and are therefore less likely to be examined at a U.S. port of entry.

How Do I Become a Partner?

CTPAT Benefits

CTPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including taking an active role in working closer with the U.S. Government in its war against terrorism. As they do this, Partners are able to better identify their own security vulnerabilities and take corrective actions to mitigate risks. Some of the benefits of the program include:

CTPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including taking an active role in working closer with the U.S. Government in its war against terrorism. As they do this, Partners are able to better identify their own security vulnerabilities and take corrective actions to mitigate risks. Some of the benefits of the program include:

Reduced number of CBP examinations

Front of the line inspections

Possible exemption from Stratified Exams

Access to the CTPAT web-based Portal system and a library of training materials

Possibility of enjoying additional benefits by being recognized as a trusted trade Partner by foreign Customs administrations that have signed Mutual Recognition with the United States

Eligibility for other U.S. Government pilot programs, such as the Food and Drug Administration’s Secure Supply Chain program

Shorter wait times at the border

Assignment of a Supply Chain Security Specialist to the company

Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at the land borders

Business resumption priority following a natural disaster or terrorist attack

Importer eligibility to participate in the Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA)

Priority consideration at CBP’s industry-focused Centers of Excellence and Expertise

More Info

Participation in CTPAT is voluntary and there are no costs associated with joining the program. Moreover, a company does not need an intermediary in order to apply to the program and work with CBP; the application process is easy and it is done online. The first step is for the company to review the CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria for their business entity to determine eligibility for the program. The second step is for the company to submit a basic application via the CTPAT Portal system and to agree to voluntarily participate. The third step is for the company to complete a supply chain security profile. The security profile explains how the company is meeting CTPAT’s minimum security criteria. In order to do this, the company should have already conducted a risk assessment. Upon satisfactory completion of the application and supply chain security profile, the applicant company is assigned a CTPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist to review the submitted materials and to provide program guidance on an on-going basis. The CTPAT program will then have up to 90 days to certify the company into the program or to reject the application. If certified, the company will be validated within a year of certification.

More Info

If you have CTPAT issues or questions, please contact your Supply Chain Security Specialist or one of the six CTPAT Field Offices by email at:

Who We Are

The CTPAT program is a critical layer in CBP’s multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Conceived shortly after the 9-11 attack, CTPAT was designed to protect our supply chains from terrorism. Now one of the largest and most successful public-private sector partnership networks in the world, CTPAT relies on its partnership with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain to strengthen supply chain security and improve U.S. border security. Since its establishment with just seven major importers, the program has grown to over 11,500 members, accounting for over 54% of the total value of U.S. imports. Its mission has also grown, evolving beyond just keeping the supply chain secure from terror threats to also thwarting human traffickers and drug smugglers, and keeping pace with the ever-quickening pace and increased volume of imports of all kinds.

Although the security criteria have been effective to date, today’s global trade environment is faced with new and evolving threats and challenges that the existing Minimum Security Criteria (MSC) are not prepared to address. Over the last decade, CBP has worked in partnership with the COAC and industry representatives – including reviews in 2009 and member surveys in 2012 – to modernize and strengthen the MSC.

How CTPAT works

When an entity joins CTPAT, an agreement is made to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. Applicants must address a broad range of security topics and present security profiles that list action plans to align security throughout the supply chain.CTPAT members are considered to be of low risk, and are therefore less likely to be examined at a U.S. port of entry.

How Do I Become a Partner?

CTPAT Benefits

CTPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including taking an active role in working closer with the U.S. Government in its war against terrorism. As they do this, Partners are able to better identify their own security vulnerabilities and take corrective actions to mitigate risks. Some of the benefits of the program include:

CTPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including taking an active role in working closer with the U.S. Government in its war against terrorism. As they do this, Partners are able to better identify their own security vulnerabilities and take corrective actions to mitigate risks. Some of the benefits of the program include:

Reduced number of CBP examinations

Front of the line inspections

Possible exemption from Stratified Exams

Access to the CTPAT web-based Portal system and a library of training materials

Possibility of enjoying additional benefits by being recognized as a trusted trade Partner by foreign Customs administrations that have signed Mutual Recognition with the United States

Eligibility for other U.S. Government pilot programs, such as the Food and Drug Administration’s Secure Supply Chain program

Shorter wait times at the border

Assignment of a Supply Chain Security Specialist to the company

Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at the land borders

Business resumption priority following a natural disaster or terrorist attack

Importer eligibility to participate in the Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA)

Priority consideration at CBP’s industry-focused Centers of Excellence and Expertise

More Info

Participation in CTPAT is voluntary and there are no costs associated with joining the program. Moreover, a company does not need an intermediary in order to apply to the program and work with CBP; the application process is easy and it is done online. The first step is for the company to review the CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria for their business entity to determine eligibility for the program. The second step is for the company to submit a basic application via the CTPAT Portal system and to agree to voluntarily participate. The third step is for the company to complete a supply chain security profile. The security profile explains how the company is meeting CTPAT’s minimum security criteria. In order to do this, the company should have already conducted a risk assessment. Upon satisfactory completion of the application and supply chain security profile, the applicant company is assigned a CTPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist to review the submitted materials and to provide program guidance on an on-going basis. The CTPAT program will then have up to 90 days to certify the company into the program or to reject the application. If certified, the company will be validated within a year of certification.

More Info

If you have CTPAT issues or questions, please contact your Supply Chain Security Specialist or one of the six CTPAT Field Offices by email at:

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A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences fly into your mouth. Even the all-powerful Pointing has no control about.

Larger Paragraph

A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences.